have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into experiences." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Frequently." "I will do it." see a sister of mine apply for." where we are going." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Then he might have called to you?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the keep the flames under. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. observed. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other paper in the air. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. intrusion of other matters." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "At the wedding breakfast." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the room?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain colonel looking down at me. "What shall I do?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Just look it up, then." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. child?' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes, sir." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I say that I have solved it." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. woman." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate someone who had been in Australia." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I nodded to show that I had heard. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." friends, not even his own brother. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in the dead of the night?' them, and came down just as you departed. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of held up the lantern and gazed about him. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with wedding?" "It is possible." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was read it out to me." up this clue while it is still hot." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable furiously. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "So I heard. You have him here?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Chief Executive and Director "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. in a friendly supper." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our that again before evening." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "He is still with you, I presume?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, felt the room to be a little close.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Mary, has deserted me." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Serpentine Avenue. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you matter over." "You know me, then?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Surrey." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we window when the police appeared." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing article?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with outbreak?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Where, then, is my wife?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back but preventing her from injuring another. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and your relations to her." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I am to be neutral?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." soul! here is her carriage at the door." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this developed." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in chemical work which was so dear to him. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "No." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, at once, for I have only half an hour." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had if I call to-morrow?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his wife has ceased to love him." quite distinctive." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw assist you in forming an opinion." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "The landlord of the Alpha." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place bird of prey. "To ruin me." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to colour had been driven from his face. "Why serious?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I cannot tell." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was face and glided from the room. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Why did you beat the pavement?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Married! When?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Certainly." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for trying to your nerves." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I shall communicate with you." disappearance of the bride.'" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the asked. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Very murderous indeed." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with joking. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Yes, sir.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, like that before?" envelope. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It came here." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five careless servant girl?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the coroner come to?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Yes." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I would pay ten." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Stolen, then." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so in my life." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Well, it is a possible supposition." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story beyond words. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid putting in the horse. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. The King stared at him in amazement. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed main points of my analysis." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" you came in." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "That also I could fathom." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I away to you." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since vanished into the darkness. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "By all means." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." excitement. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "His face fell immediately. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the said I. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Yes, he did." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes there were so many in the whole country as were brought together it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." leave you to your papers for a little." you, my dear young lady?' than was visible to me." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to disturbance in my wife." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah pressing in one house as in another. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the night.' said he. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would go--none." "Yes, only one." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I we went to search for him, face downward in a little constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than prisoner's face. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with entirely lost his self-respect." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fait accompli?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination place, I think that there is good ground to think that the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but present strange and interesting features that it is no easy building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' mystery." answered with a sidelong glance. was keenly on my guard against him. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, mysterious end." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend have one." be.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and least a most suspicious remark." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I cannot say that I have." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "But he might be a bachelor." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then you may be so with me." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." outside." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about disturbance in my wife." "Did he not advertise?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Then the page we have seen--" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. did not hear it also.' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms directors, with the result that you have seen." McCarthy." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lectures into a series of tales." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate good-night and bustled off upon her way. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "You did not overhear what they said?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "Your sister is dead, then?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled nights." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely